Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back condition and right leg condition are found to be related to a service-connected left knee condition, thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, right hip disorder, and back disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his spine disabilities, as well as the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board found no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's back disability, as there is no medical opinion linking his current condition to his military service. The examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current back disability is associated with service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the revised criteria. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his employment history. The TDIU issue will be reviewed by the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service to determine if an extra-schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issue of an increased rating for right cervical radiculopathy will also be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease. The evidence did not support a finding that her current conditions were related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development and consideration of his claims, including the recent VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to service. The Veteran's current right ankle disability is diagnosed as degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total disability rating from August 1, 2008 through April 22, 2009 for convalescence following lumbar spine surgery on January 22, 2008.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right knee or low back disabilities for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current symptomatology and ordered a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service, specifically a fall during boot camp. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed. The compensable rating claim for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 20 percent effective June 27, 2011. He previously had a rating of 10 percent from September 16, 2003 to June 26, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disorder that is causally related to service, including as due to aggravation of pre-existing congenital scoliosis.

The Veteran's back disability has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection, with no higher rating warranted based on current symptoms and range of motion.